Bird Calling

The “old bird” next to me on the branch flew down to the ground, changing back into her human form as her shoes touched down on the snow. Nuthatch followed suit, standing behind her, and I decided I’d better do the same, even though I would’ve rather stayed in my current owl form in case I needed to fly away quickly. I still had no idea who this guy was, what he was capable of, or who was in the house behind him.

“You’ve decided to show yourself at last, Dakota,” Mage Jaye said. I could tell without being able to see her face what expression she was wearing. Whoever this Dakota person was, he had disappointed her gravely.

Laughing, he said, “You always insist on calling me that when you know I prefer Cody.”

“I don’t give a damn what you prefer,”